But if it leads to destruction, then the situation is different, as certain Evil Gods would undoubtedly be very interested.

However, don't expect Them to proactively help these poor souls.

On the contrary, those Evil Gods will not only refrain from intervening but will just wait for the day the Kingdom is destroyed, potentially even fueling the flames secretly.

They will let mortals destroy the Kingdom, possibly viewing it as a grand desecration ceremony from which They will reap their rewards.

Finally, when everything is over, They will send Their servants to take over this half-destroyed nation.

"The flames will consume everything, annihilating all."

"When the scorching blaze ceases, only a ground of ashes will remain."

This is fire, representing the fire of destruction!

And after understanding these things, Herbert closed his eyes again without needing the Archbishop's reminder.

He continued to recall, and then saw more.

"No, it's not just fire... I also saw ice!"

Ice and snow covering the land, the cold stares of nobles gazing at others, and that soul cold and hard as ice... this remote little country is indeed too cold.

Ever since the Giant Dragon scattered its bone-chilling cold blood across the land, cold seems to have been etched into the very bones and blood of the Frost Crystal Kingdom.

This has made its people generally develop a hard and resilient character, like tough stones not easily shattered, enduring the winds and snows, not rebelling unless pushed to the brink.

The perennial cold has also claimed too many lives.

A gust of cold wind blows by, and a few pitiful souls drift away with the wind.

For this Kingdom,

Ice and snow equally represent destruction.

In terms of destruction, ice is just as formidable and capable.

"..."

This time, when Herbert opened his eyes, he didn't speak again but frowned in silence.

Is the fire and ice I saw really the whole truth?

Are they only about destruction?

After a long silence, Herbert shook his head, mumbling softly, "...No, that's not right."

Not just that.

Definitely more than that!

Fire and ice are not just about destruction!

Herbert had once spoken during the "enticing allure and win over" the Ice and Snow Goddess.

He believed that ice and snow do not only bring cold and death.

"Descended from the sky, the ice and snow are pristine and pure."

Herbert murmured to himself, sorting out the still somewhat vague thoughts in his mind.

"Ice and snow... are creative, able to bring new vitality to decay and wither."

"The falling snowflakes, the condensing frost, are not for destruction but to welcome new life."

Those words once used to entice the Ice and Snow Goddess always contained a part of his true intention.

Ice and snow should not have just a destructive side.

Indeed, ice and snow can evoke feelings of desolation and deathly silence, possessing destructive power.

Perhaps in terms of the effect of destruction, ice is not as good as fire.

But in terms of scope and duration, the destructive power of ice even far surpasses that of fire.

White disaster, avalanche, snowstorm...

A vast expanse of white, leaving the land truly clean.

Devouring life, taking away vitality.

After the passage of ice and snow, only frozen corpses remain on the wasteland.

But... those might not be the true intent of ice and snow.

When ice and snow melt, when cold fades away, all dormant things will again revive, and the land, after the baptism of severe cold, will finally usher in a new beginning.

Ice and snow take away life but also leave some seeds for the future.

Whether flames or ice and snow, their true intentions are not just to burn.

Destruction is not just for obliteration but for a better rebirth!

Just as the Priest Order of the Ice and Snow Goddess brought vitality to the Elda Territory.

They come from the ice and snow, these girls with the ability to save others, do not represent the cruelty of ice and snow but rather its softest and most beautiful aspect.

The priests are not just ornamental vases borrowed from the Ice and Snow Goddess; Herbert actually values more the medical, divine domain knowledge they possess.

With them present, the Elda Territory can get on track more quickly.

And the Ice and Snow Goddess, this cat-like goddess who left quite an interesting impression on Herbert upon interaction, does not exude malice and coldness from Her body.

On the contrary, as soon as Herbert slightly tore down the other's cold disguise, he already felt the vigorous vitality and youthful energy emanating from Her.

The Goddess who presides over the [Ice and Snow] divine position is like this; how could She have just one side of destruction?

"Ice and snow are so, then flames... should also be the same."

With previous experience, Herbert's thoughts opened up quickly and thought even more than with ice and snow.

"Yes, when the forest is burned, the remaining ashes become an energy source for new plants."

"Not only that, cooking food, keeping warm, making tools, purifying evil... flame has brought too many benefits to mankind."

"Moreover, flames themselves hold many special meanings throughout human history."

The creation of fire from drilling wood, Prometheus stealing fire... in so many cultures, flame is seen as a symbol of life, hope, strength, and faith.

"In most cases, when the flame that represents destruction appears, there will definitely be a flame that represents creation descending, bringing new order."

Now...

He has seen the flame of destruction.

Where is the fire of creation?

Herbert instinctively raised his head, looking blankly at the Archbishop, trying to get some hints from him.

However, just before Herbert opened his mouth to ask, he already saw the answer.

In the elder's pale eyes, Herbert saw a blurred white-haired boy—a reflection of himself.

"It seems, you have already thought of it."

The elder looked at Herbert with a peculiar expression, nodded, and softly said, "That's right, you... are also fire."

"The fire that burns the shackles, rebuilds order."

To the nobles of Frost Crystal, Herbert is the raging fire of destruction.

But to the people of Frost Crystal Royal City, is Herbert not the flame of salvation?

"What did you bring to them?"

"Hope."

The elder finally showed a satisfied smile, speaking gently: "You saved them."

"In your view, what you did was just an incomplete revenge, but in their eyes, you are a savior from heaven... although no one knows your name."

"Not only that, but you also left behind the nuns and the Knight Order to help them through this difficult time."

Killing the evil nobles, delivering justice for them, distributing supplies, giving life new hope.

Herbert was in a daze for a while, saying somewhat unconfidently: "But I..."

I really didn't plan to do it initially.

These things in the eyes of outsiders... were actually not Herbert's intent.

It's more of a casual act, far from his original true purpose.

Herbert wanted to explain, but was stopped by the Archbishop shaking his head.

"Child, you don't need to explain, because whether or not it was your true intention, it actually makes no difference."

The elder looked at the bewildered boy and smiled.

"For them, being able to control the Giant Dragon makes you a true strong one."

"And the actions of the strong always stir storms, every word and action will be scrutinized and understood deeply by others... regardless of whether they themselves want to, whether they indeed think that way."

"Understand? This is the... fate of the strong who hold power."

Herbert fell silent.

He suddenly somewhat realized what the Archbishop wanted to achieve from this chat.

He wasn't just idly looking for a chat, but was trying to convey a concept to him.

"Herbert, you are destined to become strong, by that time, your will can easily decide the life and death of others."

This elder, standing at the pinnacle of common beings, softly spoke: "Whether it's destruction or creation, it all lies within a single thought of yours."

The Archbishop gazed at this still somewhat youthful boy before him, gently inquiring about his choice.

"Is it destruction? Or creation?"

"What will your choice be?"

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